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Maude Adams (1872-1953) was a beloved and talented American Broadway actress who greatly influenced succeeding acting methods and production techniques. She first appeared on stage as an infant in her actress mother's arms, and then moved to a succession of children's parts. Her New York debut came in 1888, supported by E. H. Southern and then Charles Frohman, a demanding mentor. In 1905, she played her most famous role: the star of James M. Barrie's Peter Pan. Beautiful, kind, and very private, this early American actress is chronicled in a biography covering both her life experiences and innovations on the stage.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The late Armond Fields was a social historian specializing in American popular theater. The author of numerous books about vaudeville and other early theater figures, he lived in Culver City, California.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

I read this book last year, and just want to say it is a wonderful book (and very readable!) both about Maude Adams and about the history of American Theatre. I learned more about American Theatre in reading about Maude than I have learned through all the theatre classes I took in Grad School. She was a fascinating person and her contributions made a huge impact on theatre as an industry, and I thoroughly enjoyed this particular books' ability to tell her story.

FYI, 19th century actress, Maud Adams was the inspiration Richard Matheson used in creating Elise McKenna in his book BID TIME RETURN. This of course, became the popular movie SOMEWHERE IN TIME. Elise was played by Jane Seymour, and Chris Reeve played the time travelling hero. In the book, there's many references to Elise's life and they all parallel Maud's life. And of course, Matheson has declared her to be the inspiration.

This author represents an updated look at the mysterious turn of the century stage actress Maude Adams. It does go into some detail about her personal life. But again as with Phyllis Robbins book details are few and far between. Perhaps the best information lies or did lie with the convent Ms. Adams stayed in to rest between her theatre assignments. Good book to read and has details not found in other books.